Best Online Paralegal Associate Programs

Online paralegal associate degrees are suitable for college-aged and older adults who can't afford a traditional program or can't attend one due to their location or busy schedules. These programs have flexible options, whether it's part-time or full-time, synchronous (meaning students take the class together at the same time), or on the student's own schedule (the ability to study at your own pace varies by program, and not all classes are self-paced).

If your goal is to become a paralegal or assistant for a lawyer or law firm, or you're considering what your first steps will be in your path towards becoming a lawyer, then an online paralegal associate degree may be right for you. If you don't have a degree already, then an associate degree can be a great place to start. If you have a bachelor's degree, but it's not related to legal or paralegal studies, you may not need to pursue an associate degree; a certificate could work just fine. Even if your eventual goal is to become a lawyer, earning a paralegal degree and getting a job as one can give you plenty of experience in working with the law and lawyers, which can be valuable when applying to law school.

Be aware that paralegals and law clerks often get confused with each other; there is a difference between law clerks and paralegals, and they require different education. So if you're thinking of becoming a law clerk, a paralegal associate degree may not qualify you.

Application, Admissions, and Enrollment for Online Paralegal Associate Degree Programs

The application and admissions process for online paralegal associate degree programs is pretty straightforward. Students with a high school diploma or GED apply as regular undergraduate students. They'll need academic transcripts, and, depending on the school, ACT or SAT scores; if a student hasn't taken the ACT or SAT, they may be able to take a college placement exam. Most paralegal associate programs have open enrollment, meaning anyone can apply.

The process is a little bit different if you're transferring from another college. You will still need all academic transcripts, but some programs may only allow a maximum number of credits to be transferred. Additionally, the credits you're trying to transfer must come from a regionally accredited institution if the program you're applying for is also regionally accredited. So, for example, if you earned credits from a nationally accredited program, they may not transfer to a regionally accredited program. If you're transferring from one paralegal program to another, the credits you're trying to transfer must come from an American Bar Association-approved paralegal program.

Most programs have an academic/enrollment advisor that can answer any questions you have about applying or transferring, and they can guide you through the process as well as help you get enrolled.

Every program has its advantages and disadvantages; finding the program that works for you can mean finding a program that has a balance between the two. While an online degree is a great option, it's not for everyone.

A few advantages of an online paralegal associate degree can include:

• Flexibility; if you're a busy or working adult, online classes can fit into your schedule better than traditional classes can.
• Location; if a program is available online, it (in most cases) doesn't matter where you live. You can take classes from the comfort of home, which means you could also have more program options to choose from than if you were to attend on-campus.
• Cost; online associate programs tend to cost less than on-campus and bachelor's programs. This can ease any financial burden you might have and make it easier to attend college without it costing as much.

A few disadvantages of an online paralegal associate degree can include:

• Less contact with peers; learning online doesn't provide quite the same environment as on-campus. It may be more difficult to talk with your classmates because they are not sitting in the chair next to you.
• No on-campus activities; college campuses have a plethora of activities and student organizations to help students meet their peers and get involved in things that interest them. Attending online might mean you could miss out on a lot of these opportunities to connect and network.
• Accreditation; while there are plenty of genuine, accredited online degrees available, there are online programs that aren't accredited, don't have the accreditation you need in order to transfer, or they're a complete scam. A sure way to protect yourself from this situation is to research each program and make sure it's accredited by the right agency and avoid any programs that aren't.

Most associate degree programs last 2 years when studying full-time in a synchronous cohort program. However, since online programs offer more flexible options, the time it takes to complete an associate paralegal program can differ for each student. Programs that offer self-paced courses may be completed faster, or a student studying part-time will take longer. Transfer students may spend less time in a program as well.

When thinking about how long it takes to finish a program, it's better to think of it in terms of credits. Each program requires credits to graduate, and completing a class will give you credits. The more classes you take at once, the more credits you'll earn, meaning you'll graduate faster-the opposite is true for taking longer to graduate (but remember, you can only take so many classes at once, either due to school policy or to your own abilities and time constraints). Paralegal associate programs require around 60-64 credits for graduation.

Online associate degrees are typically cheaper for a number of reasons:

• You're paying for 2 years of school instead of 4
• You're not living on campus or attending classes on campus, so there's no room and board, meals, or transportation costs
• Most associate programs charge tuition per credit hour instead of a flat-rate tuition
• The amount you pay per semester decreases if you're studying part-time

There are fees associated with online learning, and online students may still have to pay some of the same fees that campus students pay, even if it's a different amount; the same goes for full-time and part-time students. Some fees may include a general fee, an instructional fee, and a distance learning fee. Each student's situation is unique, but an online associate degree is usually the more affordable option.

Paralegal coursework is intended to give students an introductory knowledge of the law, legal system, and legal practices, as well as train them in useful skills such as communication, research, administrative tasks, and writing. General education courses, such as composition, math, science, and psychology, are also required, so students get a well-rounded foundational education. Electives can be chosen to learn more deeply about a certain topic as well. A few paralegal associate degree courses can include:

• Legal research
• Intro to law
• Legal writing
• Real estate law
• Family law
• Civil litigation
• Bankruptcy law

The most straightforward career option for graduates of online paralegal associate degree programs is a job as a paralegal. Paralegals can work in a number of different environments, including the federal government, finance and insurance, state and local governments, and in legal services, such as a law firm or for an independent lawyer or law office. Paralegals can also work with different types of law, which means working with different populations. This can include immigration paralegals, real estate paralegals, corporate paralegals, and litigation paralegals, among others.

However, that's not the only option. There are plenty of alternative careers for paralegals that involve working with the law or in a similar environment. Some of them include:

• Legal assistant
• Secretary or administrative assistant for a law firm
• Claims adjustor/investigator
• Discovery liaison
• Social and human service assistant
• Court, municipal, or license clerk

Begin a Career as a Legal Secretary

A legal secretary is a type of secretary that works in legal offices, such as law firms. They perform many of the same tasks that general secretaries do, such as answering phones, arranging meetings, scheduling appointments, and handling mail. The difference is that because they work in a legal setting, they need to have basic knowledge of legal terminology and procedures and need to perform tasks that are specific to the legal business. A few of these tasks can include reviewing legal journals, helping with legal research such as verifying citations and quotes, and preparing various legal documents, such as subpoenas, complaints, summonses, and motions. They usually work with computers and software to organize and keep track of information.

Legal secretaries only need a high school diploma or GED for the job, but they must have knowledge in various computer applications, such as word processing and spreadsheet software. They may learn these skills in high school, or they can take classes online or at a community college. They may also benefit from taking classes in legal terminology and practices. A paralegal studies certificate or associate degree would help with this. Entry-level legal secretary jobs usually provide on-the-job training that can last for weeks. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for legal secretaries and administrative assistants is $48,980 as of 2020.

Begin a Career as a Paralegal

A paralegal is a lawyer's right hand. They assist lawyers with a broad range of tasks, from case preparation to trial conduction. Some of these tasks can include gathering the information and facts on a case, conducting legal research, gathering evidence and arranging legal documents for submission to the courts or attorneys, and contacting clients, witnesses, lawyers, and other professionals for interviews or other information they may need for a case. The specific work of a paralegal can depend on where they work and the type of work they do. For example, a paralegal who works for an independent criminal defense attorney will spend time gathering evidence and conducting witness interviews, while a paralegal at a corporate law firm will spend time going over contracts and financial information. Some paralegals, usually more experienced ones, direct the work of other paralegals.

The training requirements for paralegals vary by employer, but the most common option is to earn an associate degree in paralegal studies. Some employers prefer or require a bachelor's degree with a certificate in paralegal studies. Sometimes candidates, usually college graduates, can learn on the job even if they don't have any legal knowledge or paralegal experience. Paralegal certification isn't required, but it is preferred by some employers and may improve job prospects. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) offers the NALA Certified Paralegal certification program, where candidates take an exam. The BLS states that paralegals and legal assistants had a median annual wage of $52,920 as of 2020.

While paralegals and lawyers may not get mixed up very often, it can be confusing to understand exactly what job duties each profession does. Paralegals and lawyers often work very closely together, but there are distinct differences between the two, especially when it comes to the required education.

First of all, paralegals are not allowed to give legal counsel or act as a lawyer in any capacity unless permitted by law under certain circumstances. They do not have a license to practice. While paralegals do much of the legal work on a case, like researching, gathering evidence for court, and writing reports, they do not advise, represent, or defend clients in any way. They perform more of the administrative tasks behind a case, such as sending emails, filing reports, and contacting witnesses. And while a career as a paralegal can be great preparation for an eventual career as a lawyer, paralegals are not formal interns or lawyers-in-training; they have a specific set of skills and job duties.

Lawyers are the only professionals permitted by law to represent clients. They can specialize in a number of legal areas, such as criminal defense, immigration, or business law, and attract clients based on the legal counsel they offer. Lawyers also spend more of their time one-on-one with clients, asking them questions pertaining to their case, advising them on how to act and what to say in court, and visiting them if they are staying in custody. They are always present in court and other instances where a case or trial must be discussed between the two parties. Paralegals may contact the clients, and they know the details of the clients' cases, but they usually don't interview or advise them, and sometimes they aren't in court with the clients.

Lastly, paralegals only need an associate degree to work, while lawyers need a Juris Doctor, which takes years of study and can only be pursued after completing a bachelor's degree.

Enrolling in an accredited program is essential for receiving a quality, respected education, as well as federal financial aid. Accreditation is when an organization from an educational background or a particular industry accredits a school or individual program; school accreditation is institutional, and program accreditation is specialized. An example of an accrediting organization that is from an educational background is the Higher Learning Commission. An example of an accrediting organization that is specific to a certain industry is the American Bar Association.

There are also 2 types of institutional accrediting agencies; regional and national. An example of a regional accreditation organization is the Higher Learning Commission; a national one is the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Credits from a regionally accredited school/program won't transfer to a nationally accredited school/program and vice versa. So it's important for students who are interested in transferring their paralegal degree to a bachelor's program to know what type of accreditation their school/program has.

Paralegal degree programs must be approved by the American Bar Association, as well as be part of a school that is accredited. So for example, a paralegal associate degree must be approved by the ABA and be part of a school that is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Many online programs are approved by the ABA.

After completing an online paralegal associate degree, graduates can pursue advanced education by transferring to a bachelor's program. Bachelor's degrees in law and legal studies are the most suitable matches for transferring credits. A bachelor's degree requires around 120 credits. Associate degree graduates have around 60 credits, and ideally, all of those credits will transfer to a bachelor's program, so they'll only have 60 more credits to go to earn a bachelor's degree. But, this isn't always the case. Each school has its own credit transfer policy, including the types of programs and schools it allows transfer credits from. For example, you may be able to transfer to a bachelor's degree in biology with an associate degree in English, but hardly any of the credits will transfer because those subjects are not related, so you will have more credits to earn.

Many schools that offer both associate and bachelor's degrees have a transfer program for associate degree students to smoothly transfer to a related bachelor's degree at the school. For example, a school with an online paralegal associate degree will have a transfer program for students pursuing the school's bachelor's degree program in law and legal studies since the two subjects are similar. It's usually possible to transfer from an online program to another online program or to a campus program. Academic advisors can guide you in finding the right programs and taking the right courses to ensure a smooth transfer.

Paralegal studies degrees become less common as you advance to higher degree levels because the job usually only requires an associate degree. However, there are various advanced degrees related to paralegal studies, legal studies, and general law that can help you gain more knowledge and advance your career. Many of these programs are great preparatory studies for becoming a lawyer but are suitable for other careers as well. If your goal is to become a lawyer, you will need a very advanced degree-a Juris Doctor, which is a doctoral degree.

Online Paralegal Bachelor's Programs

There are very few bachelor's programs in paralegal studies, but there are plenty of online bachelor's degrees in legal studies, which are typically Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies. These programs are also suitable for people who wish to become paralegals or legal assistants, but also prepare them for a number of other careers in the legal system, as well as graduate study. Students learn foundational, in-depth topics related to all of the different types of law, policy, and the legal system, as well as research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Bachelor's degrees in legal studies commonly accept associate degree transfers or those with at least 60 credits that can be applied to the program.

Online Paralegal Master's Programs

A master's degree in legal studies is a Master of Legal Studies and is commonly available online. This degree is for students who are not current or aspiring practicing lawyers. Instead, they're for working professionals to study the law as it applies to their specific profession; so, for example, a health care professional would study health care law. Many MLS programs have concentrations to choose from because of this; some include health care compliance, financial regulatory compliance, criminal law, HR and employment law, and sports law and business. MLS programs usually last about one year. An MLS program may be confused with a Master of Laws (LLM) program-an LLM program is for practicing lawyers who wish to study the laws of a certain topic (such as human rights or intellectual property) or the laws/legal system of another country.

Online Paralegal Doctoral Programs

A Juris Doctor (JD) is the degree that people can pursue in order to become licensed attorneys. Online JD programs last 4 years, and students take courses in legal analysis, research, writing, contracts, and various types of law, such as criminal, business, immigration, and civil. Students will also learn to develop practical skills that can help them when working on cases, such as negotiation, critical thinking, communication, and counseling. By the end of the program, students should be prepared to take the Bar Exam, the exam needed in order to earn a license to practice as a lawyer in a state.

Online Paralegal Certificate Programs

An online paralegal certificate teaches the same topics as paralegal associate programs, but in a more concentrated format; general education courses are not included, the way they are with associate programs. Paralegal certificate programs are most ideal for those who already have a degree and wish to change their career. It depends on the school, but some programs require students to have an associate's or bachelor's degree to apply. Certificate programs are usually non-credit, but this varies and they are much shorter than degree programs; they can last as few as 14 weeks or up to a year. Some programs may have instructors but are completely self-paced, with no deadlines on assignments, as long as students finish the program within a certain length of time.

There are many resources available to help pay for your education expenses. One of them is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which uses you/your household's financial information to determine how much federal student aid you qualify to receive. Recipients must be enrolled at an accredited post-secondary institution with good academic standing, among other criteria. But federal aid isn't the only option.

Scholarships from universities, associations, and private local, state, and national organizations and companies are available for students at any level in any degree field. The American Association for Paralegal Education offers the LEX Scholarship Competition. Full and part-time paralegal students who attend a school that has a LEX chapter can apply; they must write an essay and the winner receives $1,500 and the runner-up receives $500.

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations has a scholarship program for paralegal students across the country. The amounts awarded change each year. Students must submit a number of materials in their application, including an essay, letters of recommendation, references, transcripts, and demonstration of participation in paralegal and extracurricular activities.

Ehline Law Firm, an injury attorney firm based in Los Angeles, offers a $750 scholarship to paralegal students in any state who submit an essay and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.